From the Chair 3 Members’ Open Meengs 4 Events 5 Oungs 6-7 Theatre Trips 8-9 Group Support Team 10 Group News 11-12 Spotlight on Digital Photography 13 Summary of Interest Groups 14-15 In Their Own Words—from Neil and Dara Hopkins 16-21 AI Workshops 22 Your Commiee 23 Naonal u3a Website 24-25 St Ives Library 26 Screen St Ives 27 All contribuons for the April newsleer should be submied to Anne Bannell by 17th March. I would also welcome any features, reviews, acvies, spotlights for the June magazine. editor@u3aivo.uk Contents 2

From the Chair 3 It looks as though 2026 is going to be another exciting year for St Ives (Cambs) u3a. When I looked on Beacon (our membership system) just now, we have 1,028 members, and I offer a special welcome to all our new members – you’ll find there is more happening in our u3a than you imagined! I see that Outings are planned for almost every month this year, and several Theatre Trips are being organised. After a successful Quiz last year, our Events team have more events scheduled, including another Quiz, exercise classes, and AI workshops, and I know that they have other events pencilled in for later in the year. Our thanks must go to all our teams without whom none of these would happen. We have lots of established Interest Groups, and you will see an item in this magazine about the 19 new groups that started in 2025 – with a wide variety of subjects. Again, we must thank all those members who offer to lead groups, whether new or existing, and give them all the appreciation and support we can. My particular thanks goes to the Group Support Team (GST), who put a lot of effort into supporting groups in various ways. The GST, with backing from the committee, organised a meeting recently for about 70 of our group leaders. We had a buffet lunch in the Golden Lion, and some fun, but the main part of the session was about reviewing and revising our new Group Leaders Handbook. This resulted in a lot of useful feedback, and many contacts made or renewed. Thanks to everyone that took part. Our Members Open Meetings continue on the 2 nd Thursday of each month, with speakers on various topics. This is an excellent opportunity to find out what is happening in our u3a, make bookings, discuss groups, and meet people. I will not be standing to be Chair in September, nor as a Trustee, but I will still be very involved in our u3a supporting in whatever ways I am asked. I believe that it is important for me to draw back now so that I can hand over the various things I do in an orderly way, and support those taking over. I will say more about this in future months, but we do always need new members to come forward and offer to serve as Officers or Trustees, and in administration behind the scenes. If you want to talk at all, I am also in Wetherspoons every first Thursday of the month 3.15-4.15, or you can email me on chair@u3aivo.uk or telephone 07458 197372. Peter Cooper

Members’ Open Meengs Date Subject and Speaker Thurs 12th March Old Drivers Workshop Speaker: PC A J Boddington Thurs 9th April Sir Earnest Shakleton’s Endurance Expedion Speaker: Dave Pinion Thurs 14th May From Score Box to Press Box Speaker: Ray Markham All Members’ Open Meengs are held at the Corn Exchange, St Ives 1.20pm for 2.00pm start. Please note: We kindly ask that members wishing to discuss member- ship maers or to book oungs or theatre trips please arrive early to avoid disrupon. Commiee members and the Group Support Team will be available aſter the meeng to answer quesons and discuss any maers of concern. A list of this year’s Open Meengs: hps://svescambs.u3asite.uk/monthly-meengs/ 4 PC A J Boddington is a Casualty Reduction Officer with Cambridgeshire Police . He works with partners to improve road safety, including educating, young drivers and conducting "Driving Safer for Longer" workshops for drivers aged 60+. A humorous autobiography and engaging presentation by Ray Markham, detailing his journey from local club cricket to scoring Test Matches and internationals at Lord's and other major venues. He offers a behind-the- scenes, witty, and insightful look at the life of a professional cricket scorer. Dave Pinion returns this time to talk about Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition (1914–1917). A legendary tale of survival in the Antarctic and an 800- mile boat journey by Shackleton to rescue all the crew members without loss of life.

Events 5 Provisional events: September St. Ives walking treasure hunt October Music night with the exceptional talents of our u3a musical groups To be decided Cheese and wine tasting Plus Possible Bingo night AI Workshops (p.22) A varied range of events for this year to look forward to. Ian Pask Exercise opportunity In partnership with the St. Ives Care Together funding we are delighted to offer this exercise session for all members free of charge. Golden Games takes place on Friday 13th March. This session is for a one hour duration and commences at 2pm. Numbers are limited so we encourage interested members to book early. https://stivescambs.u3asite.uk/u3a_events/golden-games/ BOOK HERE

Outings with waiting list only Gladstone Pottery Museum Wednesday 18th March Visit the only complete Victorian pottery factory from the days when coal burning ovens made the world's finest bone china. Cost: £28 including Driver´s Gratuity Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse (With a coffee stop at Dereham) Thursday 16th April 2026 Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse is based in a former workhouse, originally opened in 1777 as a 'House of Industry' Now the site houses an extensive museum exploring what life was like for those who once lived and worked here. Cost £32 (including driver’s gratuity) Charlecote House and Upton House, Warwickshire Tuesday 30 th June Two visits in one day! Arrive at Charlecote House mid-morning. Appearing to date entirely from the 1500s, Charlecote is actually one of the country’s best examples of the Elizabethan Revival style. Parkland laid out by Capability Brown overlooking the Avon and Shakespeare’s Stratford. Free time to explore the House and Gardens. 12:30 Leave Charlecote for Upton House (a short drive,) Throughout its history, Upton House, has been bought and sold many times. Successive owners have left their mark on its character, but none more so than Jewish businessman and philanthropist, Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted. Upton House contains some impressive art collections including El Greco, Canaletto and Bosch as well as British art work. Also, a fine collection of French and English porcelain. Beautiful Gardens landscaped by Kitty Lloyd-Jones. Take your time, to wander around the House and Gardens Cafés at both venues or bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the grounds National Trust Members £19 Non-National Trust Members £53 Includes Driver’s Gratuity Oungs 6

Booking Procedure for Oungs and Theatre Trips PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR TRIPS BEFORE YOUR BOOKING HAS BEEN CONFIRMED • Bookings can be made at Open Meengs or on the website • Theatre Trips: hps://svescambs.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/theatre-trips/ • Oungs: hps://svescambs.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/oungs/ • Oungs: Sue Belcher (07778425052—Strictly for members with no internet) • When booking a trip on the web page, click on the blue envelope, please DO NOT click on 'CONTACT' at the very top of the page. • ALWAYS BOOK BEFORE PAYING. All bookings will be confirmed. • BACS payment preferred please, either online or by going into your branch • Payment: St Ives (Cambs) U3A Social Account • Sort code: 40-16-08 Account: 74557352 • Ref: u3a membership number and trip name • If no alternave, cheques made payable to: St Ives (Cambs) U3A Social Account • Payment to be made at least six weeks prior to the trip Oungs 7 British Motor Museum Tuesday 19th May Gaydon, Warwickshire Join us on a visit to the British Motor Museum, the world's largest collection of historic British cars. Celebrating the past, present and future of British motoring by telling the fascinating story of Britain’s motor industry, offering a colourful insight where you will find displays and exhibits to surprise and enlighten. Maybe even bring back memories of your first car! Includes Coffee/Tea and Cookies on arrival with introductory welcome. Includes Guided Museum Tour in small groups. Time to wander at your own leisure Café available for lunch (own cost) Cost £38 Driver’s gratuity included

Operation Mincemeat, Milton Keynes Wednesday 10 th June 2026 There are still seats available for this show, which started out as a fringe musical about an outlandish war plan – and became a West End and Broadway smash. While Operation Mincemeat is undoubtedly brilliant, hilarious, moving and astonishing, sometimes all in the space of one dance routine, the story it’s based on doesn’t exactly scream: “Hit stage musical!”. The actual Operation Mincemeat was a crack piece of second world war deception. MI5 took the body of homeless Welsh labourer Glyndwr Michael, who had died after eating rat poison, gave him a new name (Major William Martin), armed him with fake plans about an allied invasion of Sardinia and Greece (Sicily was the real target), and deposited his uniformed body on a beach in Huelva, Spain, hoping it would reach German spies. Spit Lip, the four people who turned this story into comedy, realised this didn’t just have to be a story about war. It could be a topical satire on Britain’s public school elites as well. There was also room to explore grief, longing and feminism. Tickets cost £50 (plus travel) ABBA Voyage—Sunday 3rd May—Waiting list only Theatre Trips 8 SAVE THE DATE Thursday 17 th December 2026 Brick Lane Music Hall The Magic of Christmas Show, Including three course lunch Booking will open at the June Members’ Open Meeting

Review of the Tina Turner Musical 9 Milton Keynes Theatre Trip 4 th February 2026 Curtain up! We found ourselves in church with Anna-Mae Bullock and her family. An amazingly confident young woman with a giant voice played the spirited Anna-Mae, setting the bar very high, and I was certainly not disappointed; I was immediately drawn in to her family and life story. We were guided through what was at times a turbulent and disturbing life; from Anna-Mae raised by her grandmother, then as a young woman she found herself in an abusive marriage to Ike Turner, and then through tremendous tenacity, strength and spirituality, finally attained super-stardom and enduring love as the icon that is Tina Turner. Tina was played by an amazingly talented woman who presented as a petite figure down on the stage but…WHAM!…her vocals hit right between the ears! The music was delivered with power and passion. Tina’s struggles with Ike and her fight to gain respect and recognition for her talents in her own right in the music industry, heart-wrenchingly portrayed. The true star quality Tina possessed was joyously delivered. Amazingly, the best was still to come; we were treated to a shimmering, uplifting and blindingly brilliant finale…“Simply the best”…Indeed (sorry, I couldn’t not!) Standing ovation…of course! Before the performance we had a chance to visit the exhibition of Tina Turner dresses in the nearby John Lewis, see photo below. Thank you to u3a theatre trips organizers; Kathy and Sheila. Karen Jarratt

Group Support Team 10 What is/who are the Group Support Team? Elsewhere in this magazine we have set you a puzzle to illustrate the number of new groups that have been started in the past year. Many of these groups began with the support of someone from our team to help them get going. Currently in the team we have Anne Bannell, Alan Rogers and Joy Cooper, who are able respectively to provide support for groups in relation to the magazine/ newsletter, the website, and use of Beacon. We meet once a month, not only to review existing groups in case any are experiencing difficulties, but also to discuss ‘Possible’ and ‘New’ groups being set up. How does a new group get started? When a new group is suggested or requested, we advertise it as a Possible Group (on the website, in monthly newsletters and at open meetings). Occasionally, someone will immediately offer to set up and run it, but most often it’s a case of gathering sufficient interest from members who would like to join such a group. A member of the Group Support Team is assigned to liaise with those interested, and set up a meeting with them to explore how to take the possible group idea forward, to give advice about running a group, venues available etc. If the members decide to go ahead, it becomes a New Group. Could you help? At the moment we have several possible groups listed, but it needs more than the three of us on the team to help progress those ideas. At our recent group leader meeting, it was suggested that an existing group leader could mentor a new group starting which we would very much welcome, so please consider whether you could help in this way. We are looking for someone to join the Group Support Team, not to set up a group themselves but primarily to give support to others doing so. Experience of running a group here in St Ives would be valuable but not necessarily essential if you already have a good grasp of how u3a groups function, and advice from the existing Team would always be available. If you would like more information about what might be involved, please contact us at gst@u3aivo.uk Group Leader Meeting At the end of January, we held a very successful meeting of group leaders. A significant number were leaders who had started new groups in the last twelve months, and many of them said how much they appreciated the opportunity to meet members who had been running groups for a longer period. It was also an opportunity to invite feedback on a new handbook for leaders that the Group Support Team has been drafting. Once finalised and published, we hope this will prove a useful resource for existing leaders, and also a tool we can offer to new leaders needing guidance when they start or take over a group.

Group News 11 Canasta We are changing the start time for Canasta from 9.00 to 10.00 hoping the later time will attract new members. Canasta originated in South America in 1939. It’s an enjoyable social pastime and helps keep the mind active. We are a lively group and beginners are welcome as well as experienced players. Every Monday, 10am to 1 pm at Morrisons. https://stivescambs.u3asite.uk/ u3a_groups/canasta/ Folk Playing Music This a new group starting on 27 February. It is open to members who would like to meet up and play songs together, and will meet at 2.30pm on the last Friday each month at Slepe Hall. The emphasis initially will be to work on songs that we can play together, rather than solo spots, but the way the group evolves will depend on who joins and the different skills/experience we find we have between us. For more information, please go to the website, send a message via the blue envelope on the group page, and let us know what instrument you play. https://stivescambs.u3asite.uk/ u3a_groups/folk-playing-music/ Italian Beginners 2 Our Italian Beginners group that began last September was almost immediately full, and one of our members has offered to set up and run a second beginner group, from his house in Bluntisham. Several members have already expressed interest and an initial meeting will be held on Thursday 26 th March at 10am. There may be some flexibility about the meeting time for the group once established, which will be discussed at this meeting. To join, or if you would like more information, please email the Group Support Team from the Possible Groups page on the website here: https:// stivescambs.u3asite.uk/possible-groups/ French Beginners Started at the end of January, meeting on Thursday mornings in the Golden Lion, but is still open to new members. See their web page here: https://stivescambs.u3asite.uk/ u3a_groups/french-beginners/ Gardening Another new group just starting, meeting in the Golden Lion, once a month on a Monday afternoon. The group is currently full but please ask to join the waiting list if you are interested, as a larger venue might be considered. https://stivescambs.u3asite.uk/ u3a_groups/gardening/

Group News 12 A puzzle from our Group Support Team In our news last month, we highlighted that we had 19 new groups start in the previous 12 months, and promised you a puzzle to work out which they are, so here it is! Any fans of Only Connect will recognise this as a “missing vowels” quiz. The following are all names of groups, but the vowels have been removed and the consonants re-spaced. Can you work them out? (The number in brackets is the number of words you’re looking for) Answers are on page 23. Here’s the first one to give you the idea….. TC HF RDY (3) = Tai Chi Friday 2. RD NGF RP LSR (3) 3. FRN CHB GN NRS (2) 4. CSLC NVR STN (2) 5. NVR NMN TMT TRS (2) 6. CL B (2) 7. TL NBG NR S (2) 8. DS CSSN SNM DR NRT (4) 9. TCHT SDY (3) 10. FRWT HRBK RS (2) 11. GR DNN G (1) 12. LLB TTHR T (4) 13. MT (1) 14. RM MK BNT HGR DN (4) 15. LT NFR BG NNRS (3) 16. MS TR SFMD RNRT (4) 17. S TRL LRS (1) 18. GNL GY 19. SC RB BLNT HMV (4) Is the group you want to join currently full? If so, it’s always worth asking to join the waiting list. Inevitably some members have to leave groups for various reasons, and places become available. If we see that a group has a particularly long waiting list, we can try and set up a second group. One exception is Yoga where our existing group has the benefit of a member with the necessary qualifications to lead the group. The same is true of our Tai Chi groups, though the waiting lists are not so long. If there is another member out there qualified and willing to lead a Yoga group, we’d love to hear from you (bearing in mind that in u3a, we are not allowed to employ paid teachers). News from Uke-Troupe We continue to meet twice a month to learn new songs and practise “old” ones. The Ukulele Festival held in St Ives each October has become an impetus for us to work on arrangements of songs we can perform there. We also go out playing in the local area, often at day centres, sometimes at memory/ dementia cafes in Over and St Ives. Why not take a look at our web page where you can see photos and links to performances? https://stivescambs.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/ uke-troupe/ Here is a picture from our recent gig at Hemingford Hub.

Spotlight on the Digital Photography Group 13 Do you use a camera? Do you take photos on your phone? Would you like to take better photos? If you are a member of St Ives u3a then you could try our group. Meeting on the 2nd Friday of each month other than August (no meeting) at St Ives Library from 2pm to 4pm. We can take up to 20 members, we currently have 15. There is an annual cost to go towards room hire. This makes life easier for myself if people are away for whatever reason. Nobody feels guilty and I am not out of pocket. The first hour or so is taken up viewing 4 submitted photos from each person for the subject for that particular month. The remainder of the session is subject based, often leading into the photo homework for the next month. If interested contact me via the link on the group page—see link below. Brian Marsh Group leader with Pauline Marsh. https://stivescambs.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/digital-photography/

Confessions of a School Governor 16 School governors are often seen as these shadowy figures who exist on the margins of school life and the school environment. They tend to appear on the school grounds intermittently, to visit the Head, view children and teachers in classrooms or cast their evening silhouette at the entrance for the bi-monthly governors’ meeting. Their existence is rarely acknowledged except in the occasional parents’ newsletter when a new Chair has been appointed or there’s a callout for volunteers to become new governors. Their name isn’t often heard except when the Head (or her or his deputy) mutters the phrase ‘OFSTED called’ to colleagues along corridors. And yet, their presence is vital to the smooth running of any school and they are the ones held responsible, ultimately, should anything go wrong. I have been a school governor for five years now (three of these as Chair). I volunteered to a local school because I was relatively new to the area and wanted to make a contribution to my community. I didn’t have a vested interest (except in wanting to make a small difference to a local institution) – in this, I was different to most of the governors already on the board who were usually either parents or staff. I thought, as an educationalist with experience in colleges and universities, I might be a useful member to the governing body. I made a brief statement outlining my perceived skills and attributes to the Clerk of the Board who then shared it with the existing governors to vote on. I was accepted in October 2021, just as the country was gradually exiting the COVID crisis that had consumed us for the last eighteen

By Neil Hopkins 17 months. Indeed, my first meeting was also the first meeting held face-to-face after successive lockdowns. As a new governor, you’re expected to undertake the necessary training (mainly online but occasionally at venues organised by the Local Authority) on areas such as equality and diversity, health and safety, safeguarding, and monitoring progress and achievement. As a governor, you are also allocated a ‘link governor’ role which is an aspect of the school that is your responsibility to monitor on behalf of the board – this involves termly visits with the relevant staff (and sometimes children) to ascertain what is working well and what requires improvement. A short report is then written and presented to the board at the next full governors’ meeting. In my time as a governor, I have been responsible for community engagement, equality and diversity, safeguarding, and health and safety. I can say with honesty that each area has given me a new insight into the inner workings of the school – I have met, at various times, with the Head, Deputy Head, the Office Manager, the Site Manager, and a selection of teaching staff and children on matters of the moment (as well as conducting school ‘walkabouts’ as part of these visits). What you gain from these meetings is an appreciation of the diverse perspectives that inform the daily life of the school and a renewed respect for the effort and commitment of those with the responsibility for ensuring that the best interests of the child are at the centre of every decision that is made. Alongside this is the more ‘public-facing’ side of governance, where governors attend to support the school community on sports days, parents’ evenings, annual fetes and pupil concerts. evenings, annual fetes and pupil concerts. When the public thinks of school governors (if they think of them at all) the image that probably comes to mind is a group of tired-looking people sitting around a collection of tables and desks under the penetrating beams of strip- fluorescent lighting (hopefully the chairs themselves are not child-sized). That picture is not always wholly inaccurate – I can certainly recall memories of meetings on winter nights (especially), having had a particularly heavy day at work, when the prospect of moving through an agenda on policy and compliance has not filled me with untapped sources of energy. However, contrary to popular perceptions, school governors’ meetings, in my experience, are generally productive, relatively disciplined in relation to time and without ego. It does depend, to some extent, on if you have an effective Clerk (we are fortunate on our board to have one) – they can offset a lot of

Confessions of a School Governor connued 18 unnecessary administration and time- wasting by relaying papers and messages efficiently before the meetings themselves. I was pleasantly surprised that the pre-meeting reading was less onerous than one is often led to believe. With a competent Chair, items tend to be discussed in an intelligent and thoughtful way, exploring different views on the various issues and concerns that arise in any state school. I was certainly impressed, on the whole, with the dedication and sense of professionalism governors give to what is a voluntary role. When disagreements arise, they have been handled in a mature and sensible way in order to establish the ‘right’ result and everyone has been given an opportunity to express their opinions before a decision is made. Talking of the Chair, I became ours in the Summer of 2023. In the name of transparency, I need to say that I didn’t seek the role beforehand. Like many Chairs, I was nominated by others on the board and no one else wanted to do it – I could have said ‘No’ but was conscious that the Chair is a mandatory position on any school governors’ board and if I wasn’t going to do it, who would? It does involve extra responsibility and can seem like a forbidding task for already busy people. The main task of the Chair is to work closely with the Head and the Clerk on matters arising and liaise on forthcoming items on the agenda. I did receive some useful online training from the Local Authority where I would meet up (virtually) with other new Chairs and hear their stories and expectations. It was mildly reassuring that I wasn’t the only one to have had their arm twisted to take the position – this seemed to be a fairly common occurrence, although other schools had careful phases of transition between the Vice Chair and the Chair to ensure continuity (rather than my experience of being plunged into the deep end with barely a rubber ring to keep me afloat). Having said that, I have largely enjoyed the role – you get to establish a close, professional relationship with the Head and can become an important confidant or sounding-board for them in what is often an isolated position. Being a Chair does require a modicum of diplomacy and discretion – things might be said in your meetings with the Head that need to remain within those four walls. It also requires a degree of tact and confidence in your own abilities and observations – you usually have the delicate balance of making judgements on the Head’s performance (through the mechanisms of their annual appraisal and/or the quadrennial OFSTED inspection) and acting as the connection between the

19 Head and the other governors. Sometimes difficult conversations need to be had if a parent has raised a complaint against the Head, the school performance data is not as good as hoped for or a redundancy or dismissal is within scope (to give some possible examples). I’ve been lucky in my time as Chair (if ‘lucky’ is the appropriate term) to have worked with a very experienced Head where issues such as these haven’t arisen or if something similar has occurred, we have been able to talk about it in a mature and trusting way. Trust really is key – if this can be established, a lot of other things are made more manageable and can be actioned more effectively. The Chair is also the ‘first amongst equals’ with other governors. The position does not carry any individual powers (school governing boards are corporate bodies and make decisions as a collective). However, governors tend to look to the Chair to ensure key ‘portfolios’ are allocated (health and safety, safeguarding, etc.) and reported back on, that individual governors are supported in what they are doing (especially when they first start), as well as the nuts-and-bolts running of the meetings themselves. I read somewhere a while back of school governors being described as ‘civic heroes’ and that’s a neat description in my view, having done the role now for nearly five years. We have a tradition in this country of ‘lay’ participation where members of the public play a significant part in the administration of vital services, be it governors in the education system or magistrates and jurors in the justice system (to give notable examples). This acknowledges the important contribution citizens give to our national life and the value of voluntary endeavour. Without people giving of their time and energy for no pecuniary gain, these public services would be quickly subsumed into the realms of the expert. While professionals are sometimes frustrated by the interventions of ‘non-experts’ who should, in their view, leave well alone and let those who ‘are in the know’ decide, we, as a society, continue to invest our confidence in members of the public having a significant role to play in what are, after all, our public services. Certainly, I would encourage anyone who has faith in this way of things to volunteer to become a school governor in their local area. It is a vital function with gives a very real sense of engagement with the community and can only be maintained if we continue to support it with our personal commitment. * If anyone in the St Ives branch of u3a is interested in volunteering as a school governor, please contact Neil Hopkins via email: neilhopkins22@btinternet.com If you have an interest outside u3a you’d like to share please let me know. editor@u3aivo.uk

I started volunteering at the St Ives Day Centre, Ramsey Road over 6 years ago. It was my second week of living in the town and I wanted to do something as I has recently retired. I never expected to enjoy it as much as I do. The guests that live in St Ives are picked up by minibus and those outside the town make their own way in. Guests arrive from 9.30 am (Monday to Friday) and are given a warm welcome, a hot drink and biscuits. We have good chat until everyone arrives. It’s really interesting to learn about their lives and the guests like to hear what we’ve been up to. We then do some chair exercises which are a lot of fun and often sing songs. The guests are then given a glass of squash. Activities are then discussed and guests can choose what they want to do. Some enjoy board games such as Monopoly, rummikub or dominoes. Others like to do crafts. Last week, they made hanging peanut butter balls for the birds who visit the outside space at the Day Centre. This area is very much appreciated in the warmer weather. Some guests like to sit and chat whilst others enjoy different types of bingo and quizzes. Everyone sits down for a cooked 2-course lunch at 12.30. For those living alone it’s lovely for them to share a meal-time. After lunch, tea and coffee is served whilst they relax, chat or look at a magazine. Most afternoons there is live music, ranging from singers and pianists to banjo groups. Guests love listening to the old songs which take them back to their younger days. Having never known anyone St Ives Day Centre 20

By Dara Hopkins 21 with dementia before volunteering at the Day Centre, I was shocked at how those with the disease could remember all the words to songs but sometimes not known what they had just eaten for lunch. The guests leave at 3.30 either by minibus or are collected by family or friends. I love my job as a volunteer and we’re constantly reminded by the guests and relatives what an important provision it is. For those living alone, it can be the only company they have all week. For those with dementia it is important to be stimulated. Those who care for people dementia or physical disabilities often express their thanks and say that their family member would otherwise be in a care home as they wouldn’t manage without the Day Centre. Some guests come once a week whilst others come more days. A few come for all 5 days. The costs per day is £25 including everything: food, transport, activities and music. The Day Centre is run by paid staff and volunteers. My friend, who lives in Hertfordshire, was looking for a similar facility in her area. The costs was £60 per day and they charge extra for lunch. We are really blessed in this town to have such a facility for our older years or for family members. I shall continue to volunteer as long as I can as I can’t think of a more worthwhile place to give my time. If you would like to make an enquiry about membership, volunteering or any services please contact the Day Centre Manager. 01480 463444 info@stivesdaycare.com

22 Free AI Workshop Events Curious about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Want to try AI for yourself? Why not book to come to one or more of our workshops to get a glimpse the new world that is coming? No previous experience is required, just a willingness to explore the future. Ask questions, share thoughts, voice concerns, or bring a challenge. Learn how AI can help you to: • write letters or emails • plan travel itineraries • create or edit images • summarise long documents • do research and produce report • create a presentation slide deck You can even hear two AI voices discussing any topic you give them - try interrupting them and hear how they react! The two workshops in March are in the Golden Lion front room between 10 and 12 on: • Mon 9th Mar 2026 • Fri 27th Mar 2026 Just turn up on the day for as long as you want (if there is room). Or, to ensure your place, book by emailing events@u3aivo.uk, or see more details on our “Events” webpage. If you want to try AI for yourself, please bring a charged smartphone, laptop or tablet. However, if you are happy to just see what is possible, come as you are. Note that this workshop is one of a short series, you can come to any or all of them, and more will be arranged if there is an interest. A personal note: I am no expert in AI, but I use it every day and love exploring what it can do. I also want to help everyone in u3a understand what it can mean for them - or at least to catch a glimpse of what AI will mean for our grandchildren. We also have an AI Club that meets regularly to look at all sorts of ways that AI is influencing our life. Peter Cooper

Your Commiee 23 Peter Cooper Chair, Web Manager Brian Gilmour Vice Chair, Open Meengs Team Bob Wilson Treasurer Ian Brennand Membership Secretary Sheila Louth Secretary, Theatre Trips Team, MOTO Anne Bannell Trustee, Newsleer, Group Support Team Sue Belcher Trustee, Oungs Team Roy Moyser Trustee, Philosophy Group Leader Ian Pask Trustee, Member Engagement Team Gill Jones Trustee, Walking Groups Stella Joyner Trustee, Events Team Brenda Kenney Trustee, Gardening Group Leader John Ralph Publicity, Open Meengs Team Sue Ralph Publicity, Open Meengs Team Joy Cooper Beacon Admin, Group Support Team Lydia Harris Oungs Team 2. Reading for Pleasure 3. French Beginners 4. Casual Conversation 5. Environment Matters 6. AI Club 7. Italian Beginners 8. Discussions on Modern Art 9. Tai Chi Tuesday 10. Fairweather Bikers 11. Gardening 12. All About the Art 13. MOTO 14. Rummikub in the Garden 15. Latin for Beginners 16. Masters of Modern Art 17. Strollers 18. Genealogy 19. Scrabble on the Move Answers to missing vowels group puzzle:

Naonal u3a Interest Groups Online (IGO) 24 Interest Groups Online (IGO) offers a variety of peer led, online learning opportunities for its subscribers. This is nothing to do with our own St Ives u3a—it is led by the national team and you pay an additional annual membership fee of £12. As part of the u3a movement, members generously volunteer their time and share their knowledge, skills and experience with the members in their groups. Some groups are more interactive than others, with an expectation that all members take it in turns to present their knowledge. If in doubt, give it a go. The more groups you try, the more likely you'll find the one you love. To join a group, you must first be a paid member of Interest Groups Online. Annual membership is £12, covering the period from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. If you join after 1st October, the fee is reduced to £6. Join Interest Groups Online Once you have decided which groups you want to join, you need to log on to the Interest Groups Online u3a Members Portal on Beacon to join a group. Some groups are full, with a waiting list in place. Please go to https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/learning/interest-groups-online/ interest-groups-online-groups to see more details about all the groups on offer with spaces available. Here are a few groups chosen at random…….. Cryptic Crosswords The group solves cryptic crosswords together. It is aimed at advanced beginners and intermediates. They mostly try to solve Guardian Quiptic and Observer Everyman crosswords. Lets Write A Play There are lots of good play writing groups on the internet, but less so for new writers. This group is a forum for encouraging each other and sampling each other's work. They meet on the last Monday of each month at 3 pm for two hours. Each month, one member presents their play, either for constructive critical review, to discuss any issues, or for a reading of the play. They read the work of the members and don't include other works.

Ancient Greek for Beginners Have you ever wanted to read the Odyssey or Plato’s Republic in the original Greek, but can’t because you don’t know enough Greek? This group aims to take the absolute beginner from zero knowledge to a working knowledge of Ancient Greek with material provided. Bridge Whether you are an experienced online Bridge Player or you're a bit 'rusty', go along and join their friendly weekly Bridge games on Friday afternoons. If you have a Bridge partner – great; if not, you'll be equally welcome, they can find you one. Either way, you'll meet other u3a Bridge players and be able to chat to them. There's no requirement to play each week, just play when you can. Further details: www.bridgewebs.com Psychology The study of current human behaviour and experience. No prior knowledge of psychology is required. Communications to members are by Bcc email. On a monthly basis, the group leader sends out an email, that will link to one piece of recent research conducted by psychologists, which is of current interest. Recent topics discussed included: Effects of video gaming and online pornography, and PTSD. Group members are encouraged to suggest topics and to lead the discussion if they have a particular interest in that area. Irish Music Irish music is a rich and diverse musical tradition that has a long and storied history. It encompasses a wide range of styles and genres, reflecting the cultural and historical influences that have shaped Ireland over the centuries. In this group, they listen to Irish music, especially items suggested by members. And also explore its history and teach themselves about its techniques and structures. Performances from players among the members are welcomed. 25

St Ives Library 26 News from your local Library We have had two very successful free Coffee and Cake mornings with around 100 people attending. The aim for the Coffee and Cake morning is to show people that the Library is not just for books but for a host of other good things for you to enjoy. We will be doing more of these mornings on a Saturday 10 till 12, dates yet to be con- firmed. Below is a list of just some of things that you can access at your local Library. • Lloyds Bank help desk • Hearing aid check • Bus Pass - which is a bookable event. • Local Councillor, Alex Bulat, is in the Library once a month on a Saturday during the morning. • Eco Cafe - date and time to be confirmed. • Library Presents - mostly evening events so watch out for posters in the Library window. Hope to see you all in the Library. Jeff Heather Women’s Suffrage in Cambridge Wednesday 4th March 2pm Discover the history of women’s suffrage and the struggle for the vote in Cambridge and around the country from the 1900s to the present. Hear about how women gained rights to vote, stand for election and be involved in political debate.

The programme is designed to support individuals at high risk of stroke or heart attack, particularly those whose blood pressure is currently untreated or proving difficult to manage. It is a 6-week online course using evidence- based breathing practices and mindfulness approaches to reduce stress and support overall Screen St Ives 27 St Ives Corn Exchange Thursday 5th March 7.30pm St Ives Corn Exchange Thursday 9th April 7.30pm

Thank you Stella Joyner for these beautiful photographs of St Ives when the river level was very high in January. u3aivo.uk